The Urban Institute is a nonprofit research organization that provides data and evidence to help advance upward mobility and equity. We are a trusted source for changemakers who seek to strengthen decision making, create inclusive economic growth, and improve the well-being of families and communities. For more than 50 years, Urban has delivered facts that inspire solutions - and this remains our charge today.
Executive compensation
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 9 reported individuals · Filing year 2023
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at nonprofits nationwide, across all sectors.
| Position | Total |
|---|---|
President Above 90th percentilevs Social Science peers in District of Columbia | $1M $1.1M |
Senior Vice President 75th to 90th percentile | $498k $546k |
Institute Fellow and Executive Director 75th to 90th percentilevs Social Science peers in District of Columbia | $429k $470k |
Vice President, Health Policy Board Vice President Above 90th percentile | $422k $462k |
Vice President, Health Policy Board Vice President Above 90th percentile | $422k $462k |
Chief Communications Officer Highest Compensated Employee Above 90th percentilevs Social Science peers nationwide | $369k $404k |
Vice President, Controller & Treasurer Controller Above 90th percentile | $315k $345k |
Senior Vice President of Finance, Operations, and Business Strategy Senior Vice President Median to 75th percentile | $282k $309k |
Chief of Staff Officer (Unspecified) | $234k $257k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 27 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2023, the highest total compensation at The Urban Institute equaled 0.7% of the organization's total expenses. The median for social science organizations is 12%.
Based on 435 social science organizations, each measured at its most recent filing year with reported expenses and compensation.
Funded by
Private foundations whose Form 990-PF Part XV grants matched this organization.
What Social Science executives earn in District of Columbia
Comparable social science organizations in District of Columbia pay their highest-earning executive a median of $256,667.
These are social science sector-wide figures, not this organization's reported pay. Based on 65 organizations across 65 filings (2023 – 2024).
See full Social Science pay data for District of Columbia →Common questions about The Urban Institute
What does the Chief Executive Officer of The Urban Institute earn?
In 2023, the Chief Executive Officer of The Urban Institute received $1,022,915 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Chief Executive Officer roles among Social Science organizations in District of Columbia: at least 9 in 10 comparable filings report less. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at The Urban Institute compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Social Science organizations in District of Columbia, the 2023 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at The Urban Institute falls in the top 10%. In 2023, the highest total compensation at The Urban Institute equaled 0.7% of the organization's total expenses. The median for social science organizations is 12%.
What are The Urban Institute's revenue and expenses?
In 2023, The Urban Institute reported $124.7M in total revenue and $137.7M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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